Page 12 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - December '20

Page 12, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Northern Notes

Living With Coyotes a few washers, pebbles or pennies into an empty soft drink Coyotes Can Be Totally Eliminated: False!
can. Wrap the can in foil and tape closed. Removing coyotes is an inefficient and ineffective method
By Katie Roundtree, to control populations. They compensate by increasing litter
Finance Director, Northern Myths About Coyotes size and new coyotes move into areas where others have been
Palm Beach County Coyotes Are Extremely Dangerous: False! removed. Populations can quickly return to original size.
Improvement District There have been very few reported cases of Eastern coyotes NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet waste is
Local news recently biting people. The coyote’s innate fear of humans tends to keep washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, using up oxygen
ran a segment on coyote them from getting too close. and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and
sightings in the Palm Beach Coyotes Are A New Problem: False! ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet
area and residents in our Coyotes have been in Florida for many years and will continue waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae
area have commented on to make their homes around the state. This medium-sized growth. Overly fertile water becomes cloudy and green –
coyote sightings in the past, predator is extremely adaptable, thriving in urban, suburban and unattractive for boating and fishing. Perhaps most importantly,
especially around dusk rural areas. pet waste carries diseases which make water unsafe.
and dawn. The following Coyotes Need Our Help To Survive: False! This information was produced by the Florida Fish and
information is from a People like to feed animals. However, by providing a “free Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the University
publication by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation lunch” for coyotes, you eliminate their natural fear of humans of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/
Commission (FWC) and the University of Florida/Institute and increase their populations. Remember … a fed coyote causes IFAS) for the people of the state of Florida and is reproduced
of Food and Agricultural Sciences. It provides information problems. Keep them wild! with permission.
on coyotes and their interaction with people.
Living With Coyotes
Coyotes are found throughout Florida. This adaptable MAKE A DONATION
animal belongs to the dog family and resembles a small
German shepherd. In Florida, coyotes typically weigh
between 15 to 30 pounds. They have pointed ears, a narrow WITH A LASTING IMPACT
muzzle and a bushy tail. Males tend to be larger than females.
Coyote fur is usually grayish-brown but occasionally is black.
When running, the coyote usually holds its tail at “half mast”
or straight out behind it, unlike most domestic dogs.

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The scientific name of the coyote, Canis latrans, literally Mail Check:
means “barking dog.” Coyotes use a variety of vocalizations payable to Little Smiles
such as barking like dogs, but most often they are heard
making shrill yips and howls. Howling is often a group effort Donate a toy
that begins as a simple howl, but quickly increases into a
series of group howls and high-pitched barks. Become a sponsor
Coyotes typically are shy and elusive, but they
occasionally can be spotted either alone, in pairs or in small Annual
groups where food is readily available. Coyotes remain active
year-round and play an important role in the ecosystem by HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE
helping to keep rodent populations under control.
Keep Your Pets Safe
Coyotes can and do prey on domestic cats and small Now through December 25
dogs. To protect your pets, don’t allow them to roam freely.
Most coyote attacks on pets occur either at night or at dusk
or dawn. During these times especially, be careful if you’re Little Smiles is a 501(c)3 organization
walking your pet in wooded areas or in heavily foliaged areas 3569 91st Street North, Suite 4, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403 littlesmilesfl.org
where coyotes could hide. Keep your dog close, on a short
leash. Keep cats indoors. When cats wander freely, there’s
an increased risk of them being attacked by coyotes. Coyotes
are also attracted to garbage. Problems can be significantly
reduced if residents remove attractants and secure trash.
Preventing Problems
Never feed coyotes! Don’t place food outdoors that will
attract wild animals. Clean up pet food, fallen fruit, and seed
around bird feeders. Secure garbage cans and compost in
animal-proof containers. Don’t try to pet a coyote and teach
children not to approach any unfamiliar animal.
Don’t let coyotes intimidate you. Frighten away coyotes
by making loud noises and acting aggressively, such as
waving your arms in the air, throwing sticks at it or spraying
it with a hose. Don’t attempt to hurt it because injured animals
are more likely to attack.
Be aware of unusual coyote behavior. Examples of
unusual coyote behavior include coyotes approaching people,
stalking pets, chasing joggers or bikers or attacking leashed
pets.
Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds. Coyotes
and other animals use such areas for resting and raising
young.
Teach children to recognize and not to run from coyotes.
If children are approached, have them move slowly into a
house or climb up on a swing, tree or deck and yell.
Educate your neighbors. Ask them to follow these same
steps.
Coexisting With Coyotes
Coyotes can be curious but are also timid and generally
run away if challenged. Just remember that any wild
animal will protect itself or its young. Never initiate a close
encounter with a coyote.
Where coyote encounters occur regularly, walk pets at
other times besides nighttime hours, dusk and dawn. Carry
something that will make noise or scare the animal, such as
a solid walking stick or golf club. These things may deter
the coyote at close range. Make a “coyote shaker” by putting